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Bishop Kelly senior Ben Avella completed 20-of-33 passes for 331 yards and three touchdowns in a stunning 29-15 upset victory over No. 1 Rigby last Friday night to earn The Sporting News Idaho Player of the Week honors.
Avella picked the perfect time to rise to the occasion.
With the reigning Class 6A state champions and their 14-game winning streak standing between a statement victory, the senior quarterback stepped into the pocket and carved up Rigby's defense. His 20-of-33 passing performance for 331 yards and three touchdowns didn't just help topple the No. 1-ranked Trojans 29-15 on Friday night at home – it announced that the Knights have championship aspirations of their own.
The victory snapped Rigby's impressive winning streak and handed the Trojans, who have captured four of the last six state titles, their first loss in over a year. For Avella, now 25-2 as a starter, it was validation of the steady progression that has defined his high school career.
The Sporting News Idaho Player of the Week
Ben Avella, Bishop Kelly [Boise] Knights
Senior, Quarterback
20-of-33 passing, 331 yards, 3 touchdowns
The 6-foot-5, 215-pound signal caller has been nothing short of spectacular through the early portion of the season. Avella has now completed 69% of his passes (47-of-68) for 885 yards and 13 touchdowns without throwing a single interception.
His precision and poise have been the driving forces behind the Knights' hot start, but Friday's performance against Rigby elevated his profile to a different level entirely. The Carroll College commit, who earned second-team all-state honors last season after throwing for 1,744 yards and 22 touchdowns, proved he belongs in any conversation about the state's elite quarterbacks.
With victories like this one over the defending champions, Avella and the Knights have positioned themselves as legitimate contenders to make some noise when the postseason arrives.
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